Vandals nearly score 100 points on senior night

They will never forget.

On a night when Vandalia’s five seniors were honored, each of them last Friday contributed to the team’s season-best scoring output in a 94-62 win against Southwestern.

As spectators clamored for the Vandals to reach 100 points, coach Kevin Jackson substituted for each senior with 2:09 left in the game, allowing them to leave their final home game victorious and to a standing ovation.

“It’s a night they will always remember,” said coach Kevin Jackson. “Every senior night we talk about making memorable, and the best way to do that is with a win.”

But even though it was Quenten Austin, Dathan Berning, Joey Dunn, Bryan Hosick and Trevor Montgomery who were being honored, a pair of juniors ended up having breakout games.

Leyton Godoyo had a double-double, with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Tim Ritchey had a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds to lead the Vandals (18-7, 7-4 South Central Conference) to victory. Both of their scoring totals were individual season highs.

Hosick was the leading senior, scoring a season-high 22 points and grabbing five rebounds, and Berning had 12 points and a game-high four steals.

Dunn made a 3-pointer in the second half and grabbed two rebounds, while Montgomery collected three rebounds and Austin grabbed a pair of boards.

“They’re great kids,” Jackson said of his seniors. “I know there were times when they left practice mad at me and times where they left games mad at me, but that happens when you’re the head coach and they’re the players.

“But come the next day, there’s an understanding that it’s my job to push them and their job to go.”

And the Vandals went on Friday.

Vandalia sank 10 3-pointers during the game and scored at least 23 points in the first three quarters, but it was four big runs that put Southwestern too far behind to recover.

Hosick netted seven points during an 11-0 run in the first quarter that put the Vandals ahead, 14-6. Prior to that run, Vandalia had trailed for the only time in the game.

Leading by seven with 7:14 left in the second period, the Vandals got a second-chance layup from Hosick and a pair of free throws from Ritchey after a block by junior Chase Woolsey to spark a 9-2 run that left the team ahead, 32-19.

Later in the period, the Vandals had a 10-2 run, which included points from four players to increase their lead to 42-24. By halftime, Vandalia led 48-28.

In the third quarter, the Vandals were able to push the ball in transition to frustrate Southwestern.
Vandalia capped off the 29-point period on a 15-2 run, which included five points off of turnovers.

Dunn furthered the run by making his 3-pointer 10 seconds into the fourth period.

“It was a nice night for us,” Jackson said. “The ball was going in the hole, and that’s nice for the fans – they like to see points on the board.”

Notes
Junior Aaron Harter made a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt when he came off of the bench in the third quarter … Vandalia scored eight second-chance points on eight offensive rebounds in the third quarter … Vandalia had just 10 turnovers, which Southwestern turned into six points. Southwestern turned over the ball 16 times, which allowed the Vandals 24 points … Each of Vandalia’s players had at least two points or one rebound.

Friday, Feb. 10
vs. Southwestern
Vandalia 94
Southwestern 62
SHS: 15-13-20-14—62
VHS: 23-25-29-17—94
Points: Ritchey, 24; Hosick, 22; Godoyo, 20; Berning, 12; Woolsey, 6; Harter, 5; Dunn, 3; Michael Wells, 2.
Rebounds: Godoyo, 11; Ritchey, 7; Hosick, 5; Berning, 4; Montgomery, 3; Woolsey, 3; Austin, 2; Dunn, 2; Team, 2; Wade Cowger, 1; Wells, 1.
Steals: Berning, 4; Godoyo, 1; Hosick, 1; Montgomery, 1; Ritchey, 1; Woolsey, 1.
Blocks: Hosick, 1; Woolsey, 1.
Record: 18-7 (7-4 SCC)

Tuesday, Feb. 14
at Roxana
The Vandals suffered their third loss in four games at Roxana on Tuesday, losing to the Shells 63-47.

Austin and Hosick each led the Vandals with 12 points, but sluggish first and third quarters hurt Vandalia's chances.

The Vandals opened the game with just four points in the first quarter, but they posted 23 points in the second period to trail by just three at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Berning and two free throws from Godoyo would be the only scoring in the third quarter, however, as the Vandals trailed by 15 as the fourth period began.

Vandalia's final game of the regular season is on Saturday at Pana at 6 p.m.

Next Tuesday, the No. 3 Vandals open regional tournament play in Pana, facing No. 6 Hillsboro at approximately 8:10 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14
at Roxana
Roxana 63
Vandalia 47
VHS:   4-23-5-15—47
RHS: 10-20-17-16—63
Points: Austin, 12; Hosick, 12; Berning, 11; Godoyo, 7; Ritchey, 5.
Record: 18-8 (7-5 SCC)